I upgraded my ISA AWE64 for a PCI SoundBlaster Live 1024 - big mistake! The AWE64, in my opinion, way outclassed the 1024.
It really depends on what you want to use it for. The AWE64 was your basic 2 speaker card whereas the 1024 is better suited to gamers / DVDs as it can be adapted for 4 speaker surround sound. Myself, being a true audiophile, would never play music any other way than true stereo and that means 2 speakers not 4!
If you're a gamer go for the 1024. If you're a music buff go for the AWE64 as the control and dynamics outway the 1024 hands down for music listening.
